A blog on politics and education, supporting socialist ideals and equality of opportunity. Against obscene wealth and inequality.

Thursday, 19 January 2017

More details needed on high pay

What a shame such good ideas on capping high pay should be revealed in a radio
interview (Morning Star,11/01/17). How much more effective such an obviously
popular policy announcement would have been, had it been made after
consultation, at least with the shadow cabinet. I don`t blame Corbyn, entirely,
for this as he had to respond to the question, but I do wonder what his advisers
are actually doing.

Surely, in such an important week for Labour and its leader, massive
preparations would have taken place, rehearsing Corbyn in answers to the
expected questions, and informing the MPs of what was in store? This would have
ensured clarity on freedom of movement, Brexit generally, and pay
caps.

Of
course, the pay policies are sensible, but even by the time of Corbyn`s
afternoon speech, more details should have been ironed out. These are election
winning policies, the sort that can appeal to the majority of voters disgusted
by corporate greed, but without sufficient detail, they can have the opposite
effect, especially after the mainstream media has had its
say.

The
policies suggested could ultimately prove to be game-changers, but not until
they are allied with ones dealing with private companies without government
contracts, and with a comprehensive tax framework. The latter could, of course,
include an tax level of 100% on incomes over £500,000 or whatever top level is
decided.

Inevitably, such ideas will cause the usual knee-jerk reaction from the right:
firms will move abroad, votes of the aspirational will be lost, accountants will
still find loopholes etc. Answers to these and more must be prepared and made
available so all are on the same page, there is no lack of clarity and votes can
be won.